Oceanographer with a focus on model development

Do you want to contribute to a safer society and sustainable oceans? We are looking for a technology-interested oceanographer who wants to combine expertise in model development with an important role in our operational warning service.

About the position

SMHI is Sweden's expert authority in meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, and climate. Within the oceanographic forecasting and warning service, we work to produce forecasts, warnings, analyses, and decision support that contribute to a safer society and a sustainable interaction between humans and the sea. We also work with the management and development of the models that form the basis for SMHI's range of services in the water sector. We are now looking for more engaged employees for our oceanographic group!

As an oceanographer with us, you will be a key person in the bridge between advanced technology and societal benefit. Together with system developers, scientific programmers, and researchers, you will be part of our oceanographic development team. It is an agile team that works with many different systems and models where your focus will be on circulation and wave modeling as well as evaluating and validating model results.

You will also work as the on-duty oceanographer in our warning service where we monitor the oceanographic situation in Swedish waters and issue warnings when necessary, for example, for high sea levels in connection with storms. The role involves collaboration with meteorologists and hydrologists within SMHI as well as with societal actors such as county administrative boards, emergency services, and other authorities.

Communication is an important part of our work as we have regular contacts with different target groups, both externally and internally. This means that you may sometimes be expected to give presentations, write news articles, or create engaging content for our web platforms.

It may also be relevant to lead development projects that involve contacts with external users and to participate in various projects within SMHI.

Your main tasks:

• Model development: You will work with the management and further development of oceanographic models in a team with programmers and researchers.
• Warning service: You will be part of the team of on-duty oceanographers. Here you will monitor the oceanographic situation and issue warnings for high water levels and icing at sea.
• Communication: You will convey complex information in a pedagogical way. For example, through reports, presentations, and content for our social platforms, but also in contact with the public, societal actors, and the media.
• Project management: You will lead and/or participate in development projects based on the needs of the organization and your own skills and interests.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with a strong interest in the sea who enjoys working in an operational and dynamic environment. You are self-driven and proactive, take responsibility for driving your tasks forward, and take new initiatives when the situation requires it. You also have good collaboration skills and enjoy working in a team. Since we work with weather and sea that can change rapidly, we see that you are flexible and have the ability to prioritize when the situation requires it. As the role involves many points of contact – both with experts and laypeople – social competence and good communication skills are important to be able to describe complex information in a pedagogical way.

We place great emphasis on personal qualities and believe it is important that everyone in the group contributes to a pleasant atmosphere.

Requirements for the position:

• Relevant scientific university education with a focus on oceanography, physics, coastal processes/coastal engineering, or another area that the authority assesses as equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of physical oceanography.
• Good IT skills and good knowledge of programming.
• Good knowledge of Swedish and English in both speech and writing.

It is also meritorious to have:

• Experience with Python, Linux, and/or HPC.
• Experience working with oceanographic circulation or wave models, other numerical models, and/or analysis of modeled data.
• Experience in development work, requirements specification, and/or management of IT systems.
• Experience in process or project management.
• Statistics and statistical methods, especially for model validation.
• Knowledge in AI modeling and/or machine learning with scientific applications.

Are you ready to take the next step in your career and become part of our friendly team? Apply today and become part of SMHI's important work!

Employment type:

Permanent employment

Working hours:

Trust-based working hours with scheduled availability apply.

Location:

The position is at SMHI's office in Norrköping. The majority of working hours are spent in the office, but we offer the possibility of remote work when it suits the organization. The position involves 2–4 trips per year (domestic and international).

Application deadline:

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Read more about SMHI as an employer and about our offerings here.

SMHI is a Swedish expert authority with a global perspective and a vital task in forecasting changes in weather, water, and climate. Based on scientific principles and through knowledge, research, and services, we contribute to increasing the sustainability of society as a whole. Every day, around the clock, all year round.

SMHI is a preparedness authority, and as an employee, you may be placed in a war position at the authority.

The employment may involve placement in a security class. Approved security clearance with background checks according to the Security Protection Act (2018:585) is a prerequisite for employment and may require Swedish citizenship.

Keep in mind that the documents and information you send to SMHI through your application become a public document. This means that all material in the application, including attachments, may need to be disclosed to anyone who requests it unless the information is covered by confidentiality according to the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act. Please write primarily what you consider relevant in relation to the requirements of the position. Consider your privacy and avoid providing information that contains sensitive personal data, information about your or close relatives' health, political opinions, or religious beliefs.